Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

Lintyfresh

Illinois

4.85/5  rDev +11.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

I've been there four times this year, and plan on going again before I become stuck in DeKalb for the fall.

The atmosphere is great. I've never walked into a place and felt such an attitude, not by anyone there but just by how the place was. The walls are littered with beer logos, there is a model TIE fighter above my usual spot, flags hanging from the ceiling, and a couple character inspired comics on the wall near the bathrooms. Also, having old an Adam West Batman movie or old Dr. Who movies playing is just awesome.

The only downside here how popular the place is. The Beer Nazi (as my friends lovingly call him) will enforce fire code very strictly. You'll immediately know who he is, especially if you go in late evening and are told the wait will be at least an hour (won't be that long).

The only server I've had in all four of my trips is excellent. She checks on you often, but not so often that she becomes a pest. She is very knowledgeable about their tap selection and comped our first round when I took my dad there a couple weeks ago because (much to my embarrassment from bad behavior last spring) she recognized me as a sort of regular.

They have so much on tap that it's hard to choose. The bottled selection is also great (especially if you're collecting). The best part is that they have releases you can only find at the Brewpub, such as the Topless Wych, a very pleasant Baltic style porter.

The food is always good, but the coolest part is that the standard pub burger is served on pretzel bread. Just awesome.

Prices are reasonable, as long as you don't notice the couple 100+ dollar bottles.

07-31-2010 16:58:42 | More by Lintyfresh

Papi

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev -1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5 | $$$

Quite simply, I love this place. The beer is just awesome. You can look at the reviews elsewhere. I want to talk about the food. This place is a foodie's dream. The starters (called Small Plates), Large Plates, and Pizzas seem ordinary by name, but careful examination shows that creativity at 3 Floyds is not just limited to the beer. The best example I can give is the Grilled Cheese. Thus named on the menu. A simple, unassuming name. But read the description and you soon find out that this sandwich is made with "English cheddar on rye with smoked apple, frisee, mustard, and lyle's golden syrup butter, served with french fries." Yes, it's as good as it sounds.

Seating is very limited in the dining area. And the service is friendly but infrequent. I have always gotten a table, but I can imagine having to wait on the comfy couches for a while. With a beer. Or two. And that doesn't sound all that bad.

12-02-2010 03:42:30 | More by Papi

Beertinez

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I'm from Chicago. Its about a 45-1 hour drive from here. I've been here twice, my most recent visit being a couple of days ago.

It's in a weird place. If you have been there, you know what I mean. Both times I have been there have been at night. Its pitch black in what seems to be a deserted street with a bunch of factories. So, if its your first visit, don't be alarmed. You will know you are there because the parking lot is packed and the a small, oval lit-up sign that says "FFF."

Atmosphere, hm... When I walked, I thought it was cool. Kind of "punk"... A better word would be "trippy." On the left, is the bar area and a few tables scattered. A small waiting bench. On the right, more tables and a few couches and a coffee table for another waiting area. Lots of FFF bumper stickers and label artwork on the walls/doors. Some FFF shirts hung up which are also available for sale. Flags hanging from the ceiling. Only ones I remember were the the USSR flag and the Panama flag, on the bar area side, you can see shelves up high displaying FFF bomber bottles, misc. action figures, and tap handles. Also on the right side, they have a glass, lock up case. Inside there is T-Shirts, tap handles, hats, key chains, etc. that you can buy. Think of it as a "gift shop" On both sides, they place movies on the wall from a projector. They are muted but sometimes they are played with captions/subtitles so you can still see whats going on. The first time, I didn't know the movie but i was some trippy Robin Hood kind of movie followed by some black/white movie which I mistaked for The Three Stooges. Second time, they played the original Karate Kid movie, followed by some movie that showcased a bunch of puppies... Metal, punk, classic rock music play throughout the place.

The service was great overall though some warning for groups. Let me explain. First time I was there, It all went perfect. A party of four on a Thursday night around 7pm, we were seated right away. Our waiter was great. He would check up on us often and would also come when he see an empty glass or plate. Offer us more food or more beer. Excellent service. I wish I would've got his name. The second time, was on a Friday night. I got the dreaded door man that was mentioned in a lot of reviews here. Again, a party of four. He told us the place was at capacity and because of fire codes, we would have to wait outside. It was raining and kind of cold. Here is a word of warning. 2 of us waited outside and we told the other 2 in out party to wait in the car. The doorman, due to the lack of "waiting list", didn't "recognize" parties. Whoever is out there, gets in. No waiting for your party to come or meeting you inside. He offer us 2 to come in but when we said we were a party of 2, he said he cant let us all in unless we are together. So we had to pass, and get the other party member, on top of that, we had to wait for 4 available spots to get in. So huge parties, I imagine, would have a hard time to get in... Once in, we found right away, that we were just able to wait IN the building. We still had to wait for a table. The good thing is that once inside, we are free to sit down in the waiting areas and of course the best part, go to the bar and order a beer!!!

Selection is great. Any FFF fan would have trouble picking the 1st beer to start the night with, like myself. Guest taps and guest bottles from other breweries are also available. I only had FFF brews both visit. A few brewpub exclusives are available here. Exclusive i had include: Zombie Dust, Cortez, Krunk Munk, Cerveza Mysterioso, Gold Leader... hm, All i can think of at the moment.

The food is delicious. I had the burger, well done with bacon, cheese, and a fried egg. It is served with fries. They offer "small plates" which include a cone-shaped basket filled with fries, a meat platter, salads and some "bizarre" stuff like snails, bone marrow, and octopus. "Large plates" which include steak, burgers, chick sandwich and other dishes.

Ive been here twice and both times were fun nights with friends, good food, and good beer. I am lucky enough to liive in Chicago so the drive is actually close enough to go often which I plan too. If you are ever in the area, you must stop by!

03-07-2011 08:30:00 | More by Beertinez

manbrognig74

Indiana

4.65/5  rDev +6.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Great food. I had some baked macaroni, but tried their burger on pretzel bun as well and it was great as was the macaroni. There was great beer from floyds and several other breweries. When i went i tried the Stone 2008 RIS which was fantastic. Also tried Topless Wytch and Briana Boru all of which i would rate highly. you need to make your way out if you get the chance. Havent had a bad beer from them yet.
Just a heads up though, they only use fresh glass for growlers. You cant bring your own or re-use any of theres. I guess this is good for overall freshness but a bummer if you drink their beers alot.

06-03-2011 03:33:54 | More by manbrognig74

RGood1006

Indiana

4.78/5  rDev +9.6%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

I have never reviewed so I thought it would be fitting to review the place that made me join the site.

A- The atmosphere in the brewpub is one that allows you to find something new every time you walk in. The hundreds of posters, tins, tap handles, and cool artwork is an awesome addition to a great setting

Q- Everything that FFF does is top notch. The beer is great and so is the brewery tour that runs fairly often.

S/S- The bartenders and servers at FFF are some of the most fun and most knowledgeable beer people around. They take their craft and their product very seriously. They pour 20 or so wonderful brews that range from FFF favorites and guest taps on a rotating basis

F- I have only eaten the traditional pub fare but the burger and fries stack up very well to any other pub offering

V- I am a repeat customer, so very simply, the value is great

07-20-2011 15:04:38 | More by RGood1006

f1longbeach

Pennsylvania

2.7/5  rDev -38.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 1 | selection: 4 | food: 1 | $$$

Went there on a trip to Chicago, and had high hopes for a great time. Herd a lot about there beers, and how good they were. Well the beer was great, the time spent there sucked. Bad service, waited a hour and a half for our pizza that we never got. We were the 5th, and 6th people in the pub, and everbody else got there food, ate, and left. Two people behind us came in 1hr after we ordered, and they got there food before us. Wait staff seemed to be bothered by having to wait on people. Last time I checked, that was there job, silly me. They all stayed huddled together by the bathrooms trying not to have to interact with the customers. Hey if this is what the vibe there is all about, I get it, but I've never been to a brew pub with this kind of attitude, and I've been to a lot of brew pubs. Big, and small alike, ones that sell more beer than FFF, and came away feeling good about the time there. Not this place. Went to 6 in Chicago over the weekend, and had a great time at each, so it's not just me. Once again, great beer, but will never go back, and will tell people about our time there.

09-26-2012 02:07:27 | More by f1longbeach

gflore34

Michigan

3.63/5  rDev -16.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 1 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$$

If this is an endpoint or destination of a beer pilgrimage the pilgrims may be in for a disappointment, customers are, ironically, not 3 Floyd's priority. It's as if one should feel privileged to be their customer when, in reality, it's their great fortune that people choose to frequent the brewpub. I've seen and heard the staff, without prompting, talk patrons out of ordering whatever they chose, treating them as if they don't know anything for their own good. Moreover, staff have also talked potential seated customers out of waiting in line and to just take some beer home. Even the take home beer is somewhat of hassle, you must pay for new growler, no refills, you can get six packs but, they can't be mixed i.e., only a six pack of Robert the Bruce may be purchased - it's not possible to buy 3 Alpha Kings and 3 of Robert the Bruce.

I've been here few times, it's a convenient little side trip on my way to Chicago from Michigan. The beer, food and atmosphere are great but, from the service standpoint I'm beginning to think its not worth the effort. Fortunately, being from Michigan, I've plenty of brewpub and breweries choices with beer on par, if not better than 3 Floyd's where the customer does matter. Where I can mix take out six packs, get growlers refilled and only have to pay for the beer.

01-08-2012 18:13:13 | More by gflore34

BrohamidAli

Illinois

5/5  rDev +14.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$$

Okay so if your going to three floyds you know what to expect, and it does not disappoint! Expect to get there at least 20min before they open on weekends otherwise you'll have to wait outside because they are so small. I actually like that they do this because unlike some snobs on here I'm not fat and lazy and actually know what to expect. Since they keep it not crowded it's very enjoyable, I can actually sit down, relax and enjoy my food/beer. The atmosphere is metal/brewery themed. It reminded me of Kuma's comer in Chicago which also is very small and you have to wait to get in if you don't show up right when it opens. I found the staff to be very courteous and nice. I feel like if you go in there well mannered and without you head held up high expecting people to wait on you hand and foot then you will receive some of the best service in the world. The food there is PHENOMENAL. Now this is not some five star quizene but it is some of the best bar food I have ever seen. And the presentation is GREAT. The selection is awesome, they have 3floyds beers you can't get anywhere else and they allow you to pick up cases of whatever you want. I got a case of Zombie dust a case of gumballhead and 2 bottles of behemoth. Over great place with a great and friendly staff I will be going there for many years to come. And for all you nay-Sayers out there I say get you head out of your ass and stop loveing the smell of your own farts.

02-18-2012 23:30:38 | More by BrohamidAli

Detlef90

Illinois

4.85/5  rDev +11.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5 | $$

This is by far the best beer I have had in the states. I have travelled now all through the country and every time I return to the midwest I am reminded of the genius of this beer. SO GOOD!!! And so distinct from other brewers. They really have a unique thing going on. The only competitor in my opinion is Surly from Minnesota....Seriously though, this beer is genius. The Live a Rich Life, Arctic Panzer, Apocalypse Cow and Miloko beers are just unbeatable. I spent my bachelor party drinking their beers and it made the day/night unforgettable.

09-08-2012 03:54:41 | More by Detlef90

wingzing85

Iowa

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$

The food here is fantastic. Great beer and lots of music. The decor embodies the philosophy they have at Three Floyds. Can't wait to go back. I'm not sure if they are still doing burgers but the last time I was in they were barbecuing meats which were fantastic. They had 3 different sauces with my favorite being the buttermilk with the pork shoulder. As far as the beers go it is really hard to go wrong with any of their choices. Arctic Panzer Wolf is one of my favorites when it is available, or their flagship beer Alpha King is always a great choice as well.

09-17-2012 17:10:44 | More by wingzing85